Mail Order Baron (The Brides of Tombstone Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

easy” admitted Ben. “I see what you and Lizzie and Matt and Julia have and I want the same thing. I wanted someone who doesn’t know the extent of my wealth.”
    “The extent of your wealth?” Molly jerked her head around and stared at Ben. “I thought you owned the hotel and a couple of saloons. If I recall correctly,” she counted on her fingers. “Silver Star, Silver Nugget, and Silver Lady.”
    Ben crossed his arms over his chest.
    Mal started laughing. “My dear Molly, Ben King owns half this town. He has controlling interests in The Bank of Tombstone, owns the Bird Cage Theater, two general stores, six saloons, three silver mines and after that I lost count. Needless to say, Ben here is the richest man in Tombstone, maybe in the entire Arizona Territory. We call him The Baron.”
    “Ben have you been keeping secrets from your bride to be?” admonished Lizzie then she looked over at her husband. “ We know that can only lead to trouble.”
    Mal nodded. “Lizzie and I almost learned the hard way.”
    “What happened?” Molly hoped hearing someone else’s difficulties would make her seem small. Who was she kidding? Tom Marlow was anything but a small problem.
    “Suffice it to say, we don’t keep secrets from each other anymore.” Lizzie sat on Mal’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
    “I think everyone has a secret or two. It’s the nature of being human.” Molly hoped no one noticed her flush.
    Ben took her hand in his and patted it. “What secrets do you have, my dear Molly?”
    She patted his hand back. “Nothing to worry your handsome head about.”
    He raised one perfectly slanted eyebrow. “We’ll talk more when we get home.”
    Molly nodded, but her heart raced. How much should she tell him? Should she tell him anything? Either way there were bound to be consequences.
    Hope started to fuss.
    Ben reached out and took Hope from Lizzie. “We should probably get back. It’s time for Hope’s dinner. So shall we see you two at ten o’clock tomorrow outside Judge Blackstone’s chambers?”
    “We’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss seeing the great Ben King finally tie the knot,” said Mal.
    “I’m only doing what I would have done last year, but Julia decided to be my friend instead.”
    Julia? Molly came to attention, her spine stiff as a board. He’d wanted to marry Julia?
    “It was very nice to meet you both,” said Molly stiffly. “See you again tomorrow.”
    “You, too, Molly,” Mal took her hand and kissed the top.
    He was so gallant.
    “Don’t worry, Molly,” said Lizzie, seeming to understand Molly’s change of attitude. “Julia was never going to marry Ben. She was already married to Matt by proxy when she arrived in Tombstone.”
    Molly swallowed hard. “If you say so. I won’t worry.” Ha! I’m already worried. Not that I expected him to love me right away, but now I wonder if he ever will.
    “Come on, Molly.” Ben was at the door with a now-crying Hope. The poor baby was hungry and it would be a while before she could eat.
    Molly hung back. “Lizzie, do you have anything she can eat to keep her happy on the way home?”
    “Sure. I’ve got some soda crackers. Both she and Roy love the things. Be right back.”
    “Shh, Little Bit. Lizzie’s getting you some crackers. You’ll be fine.” Ben swayed his body and rocked the baby, walking back and forth on the carpet.
    “Our son, Roy, is sleeping. He’s just turned one, so I know what you two will go through tonight.” Mal nodded toward Ben and Hope. “She’s going to miss Mommy and be one unhappy little girl, mark my words.”
    “She’s stayed overnight with me before,” said Ben. “She’ll be just fine.”
    Lizzie came back with several crackers wrapped in waxed paper. She handed them to Molly.
    “These should get you home.”
    “Thank you. We should go.”
    Ben was already walking out the library door. “See you two tomorrow.”
    He didn’t stop until he reached the surrey.
    Molly ran